Plans for more than 3,000 new start-up businesses are set to be developed this year as part of The Regional Start Initiative.
The next generation of businessmen and women in the Newry Mourne and Down area are being invited to get help turning their business ideas into tangible business plans that could help them to secure funding from banks or other potential investors.
In its fourth year, The Regional Start Initiative is now under the remit of the new 11 councils and is delivered by Invest NI, Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Local Enterprise Agency network. Since the programme started, companies have been launched in almost all sectors with an upsurge of businesses in the leisure, food and creative industries.
Janice Symington, manager of the Down Business Centre, said: “Last year, our centre along with Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency helped produce many business plans for start ups. We have two skilled advisers with Joan Tummon and Joe McCoubrey who himself has thirty years experience in business and business support. We are doing approximately up to fifteen business plans a month helping to create many first time entrepreneurs.
“The Down Business Centre has had a tangible impact on the business sector in our area. Only this morning at an event celebrating our 30th anniversary year, we met up with Harry Hughes of Twelve Arches Garden Centre in Newcastle who was one of our early clients back almost thirty years ago in our premises on the Saul Road.
“We can signpost new business too to other agencies etc for assistance. We are here to help. At the moment too we are engaged in putting together a package for rural funding. Our aim is to get start-ups moving forward and we have helped people from 16 to 68… age is no barrier to being enterprising.”
Gordon Gough, Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland commented: “To date the Regional Start Initiative has produced circa 3,400 business plans a year across Northern Ireland.
“We are encouraging people with a great business idea to get in touch. We have business advisers who offer bespoke one-to-one mentoring to help bring people’s business ideas to life, with a variety of workshops open to participants. Business plans are an important first step in the start-up process, helping attract potential investors and secure funding. Northern Ireland has a wealth of entrepreneurs with great business ideas. The aim of this Initiative is to help those entrepreneurs put together a business plan to help kick start their own business.
“We have seen many success stories from this programme since its launch. There is a strong demand for these types of programmes to encourage entrepreneurship and we hope this year it will be even more successful.”
James Wallace Creative based in Downpatrick was started after owner James Wallace took part in the Regional Start Initiative in 2015. Mr Wallace was able to successfully apply for a Start Up Loan from Enterprise Northern Ireland using the business plan generated through the Regional Start Initiative.
Mr Wallace commented: “I have always worked in this sector but wanted to be my own boss. I approached Down Enterprise Agency for assistance putting my business plan together and was then able to apply for a start up loan. The loan helped me open my business a lot sooner than expected. The support I’ve received has been fantastic and the staff are always there whenever I need advice.
“I’d highly recommend anyone with an idea for a business plan get in touch with their local council and enterprise agency.”
Newry Mourne and Down District Council – 0300 0132233
Down Business Centre – 028 44 616416
Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency – 028 30 267011.
